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Bartow High Valedictorian Used Life's Obstacles as Motivation

Father in prison, numerous evictions never defeated him

Terry Washburn and mom Roberta Simmons have been through some difficult times together. But Terry overecame them to become the valedictorian for this year's Bartow High School graduating class.

PIERRE DUCHARME | THE LEDGER

By LISA DURHAMLEDGER MEDIA GROUP CORRESPONDENT

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 3:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 3:19 p.m.

LAKELAND | “I can say I have been evicted from my home more than once … had a father who did 10 years in prison, and was raised by a single mother struggling to raise three children,” Bartow High School Valedictorian Terry Lee Washburn said during his recent graduation speech at the Lakeland Center.

Postures changed as students and audience members, who had settled in for the three valedictory and salutatory speeches from BHS, International Baccalaureate and Summerlin Academy students, leaned forward to hear Washburn's soul-baring story.

“It does not matter what situation you are put in or the situation in which you are raised,” he said, “how life turns out is up to you.”

These are not empty words for Washburn; they are the fiber of his life story.

The 18-year-old defied the statistics, graduated with a 4.5 weighted GPA, and attained the maximum merit scholarship at The Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

He plans to major in computer engineering, pursuing his interest in technology that began in eighth grade.

“Technology amazes me and I want to know how to improve upon it,” he said. Ironically, he couldn't afford a cell phone until 10th grade, and it was the flip-phone variety although others were sporting touch screens.

“I am happy with what I have,” he said recently.

Although in stature he appears to be a good fit for the defensive line on the football team, Washburn's gentle manner is obvious. Extra-curricular activities were not possible because the family lacked a reliable vehicle; however, Washburn sees it as a positive because he was able to focus on his studies in his seven advanced placement classes.

His government teacher, Shelly DeVore, agrees.

“Terry earned the highest scores in my AP government class and always had a good attitude,” DeVore said, adding that he won awards for being the outstanding senior in AP U.S. government and politics class, AP macroeconomics class, and was the overall award winner in history.

“Terry could have used the obstacles he faced as something to stand in his way,” she said. “instead he used them as motivation to do his personal best and persevere.”

Not having a reliable vehicle also limited his visits to colleges, and out-of-state tuition costs presented another hurdle. He was accepted to The Polytechnic Institute of New York University, but it was too expensive to attend.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Born in Kissimmee and the youngest of three children, Washburn attended Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lakeland. Later, his family moved to a mobile home park in Loughman Oaks, where the hurricanes of 2004 wreaked havoc on their home. Amid the chaos, he found stability in the straight A's he received in third grade. In fact, Washburn was reading at a fourth-grade level by the end of third grade.

“That was the turning point,” he said. “Before third grade, I had rainbow grades,'' he said with a smile. “Those are grades that are all over the rainbow.”

Washburn's sense of humor and optimism carried him through many upheavals as his family moved around the Southeast. His engaging smile and easy-going manner would appear to draw new friends; yet, he was wary of forming attachments because he said he knew he might have to move again.

His single mother decided to move closer to family in Tennessee, where Washburn found a father figure in his maternal grandfather.

“He was a good role model,” Washburn said. “He would stay up and help me with my math homework even though he didn't understand it.”

After his grandfather died, his family moved in with his mother's friend for a bit. Washburn's grades remained stable, although his home life was unpredictable.

“Pick yourself up and continue no matter what,” he advised.

The next stop for the family was a motel, where they lived for a month.

“That was fun, with four people in one room and the microwave food,” Washburn said sarcastically.

Nonetheless, conditions were improving for the family. Washburn's mother, Roberta Simmons, moved up as a shift manager at a local restaurant chain. Her job was going well, allowing them to move from the motel to a mobile home.

Washburn started high school in Tennessee and things appeared to settle, until his sister called to tell Simmons a bomb exploded at Washburn's school.

Washburn said his mother pleaded with her boss to let her check on her son, but when he refused, she lost her job for arguing with the boss.

She found another restaurant job at a lower pay, Washburn said, but the family struggled financially and was soon served with an eviction notice.

“You have to prioritize as best as possible,” Washburn said of the incident, “making sure you have a place to sleep when you leave school; and you know that school is the next important thing.

“It was good though because my mother had just connected with her three brothers.”

One brother in the military invited the family to stay with him in North Carolina where Washburn attended an accelerated high school near Fayetteville. However, the crowded conditions caused the family to return to Florida where Simmons had reconnected with an old friend, Michele Kanov, who offered them a home.

That's when Washburn enrolled at Bartow High School in the 10h grade.

BEATING THE CYNICS

Washburn credits some of his motivation to cynics.

“We got the label ‘trailer trash' and people were telling us, ‘You're not going to do anything,' so I tried to prove them wrong,” he said.

His mother is his cheerleader and he is hers.

“I let him know I love him and I am always there for him,” Simmons said. “I tell him I don't want him to end up like me.”

Washburn is quick to point out that his mother has a good work ethic and that also inspires him.

“After seeing Mom struggle and Dad doing all that crap, I knew I needed to get good grades,” he said.

His mother agrees, “He is quiet, easy-going, and focused on grades.”

DeVore said Washburn was typically reserved during her class but when they discussed the relationships between the people of America and the government, he spoke up.

“He shared how strongly he believed that people should work hard for what they get, and that they should not expect the government to provide everything for them,” she said. “Terry is a testament to how the power of a loving parent and hard work can help an individual overcome obstacles and achieve success.”

Washburn thanked his teachers at BHS in his graduation speech for “the opportunities I have had, the successes I have achieved and the fortune to overcome future challenges.”

Looking ahead to college, Simmons said she knows it is going to be a struggle.

“He is almost tempted not to go because he doesn't want to be in debt like we were,” she said, adding that he is very good with money. “I give him my money, and he pays all the bills online.”

The average cost to attend FIT per year is $34,710, according to a recent U.S. News and World Report article. The merit scholarship he is receiving from the university covers $21,000 per year. He also received a $2,000 Bright House scholarship and a $1,000 alumni endorsement scholarship, earned per year, after FIT alumni and BHS Network Manager David Woods recommended him.

Washburn is looking for summer jobs and earned enough during school breaks to get a bicycle to get him to work. In addition to telling his life's story at graduation, Washburn overcame his shyness over public speaking.

In elementary school, “My brother and sister were the only ones who could understand me,” he said, “so the teachers would have to ask them to interpret for them.” Now his impediment just affects the pronunciation of “r” sounds, but he did not let that stop him.

He spent a few nights practicing with his mom and then just focused on looking at the two EXIT doors at The Lakeland Center while delivering the speech, he said.

“You just have to put yourself out there because most of the time, a goal is accompanied by something you don't want to do,” he said. “No matter how bad it is, you just have to find a way to get past it.”

<p>LAKELAND | “I can say I have been evicted from my home more than once … had a father who did 10 years in prison, and was raised by a single mother struggling to raise three children,” Bartow High School Valedictorian Terry Lee Washburn said during his recent graduation speech at the Lakeland Center.</p><p>Postures changed as students and audience members, who had settled in for the three valedictory and salutatory speeches from BHS, International Baccalaureate and Summerlin Academy students, leaned forward to hear Washburn's soul-baring story.</p><p>“It does not matter what situation you are put in or the situation in which you are raised,” he said, “how life turns out is up to you.”</p><p>These are not empty words for Washburn; they are the fiber of his life story.</p><p>The 18-year-old defied the statistics, graduated with a 4.5 weighted GPA, and attained the maximum merit scholarship at The Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.</p><p> </p><p>He plans to major in computer engineering, pursuing his interest in technology that began in eighth grade.</p><p> </p><p>“Technology amazes me and I want to know how to improve upon it,” he said. Ironically, he couldn't afford a cell phone until 10th grade, and it was the flip-phone variety although others were sporting touch screens.</p><p>“I am happy with what I have,” he said recently.</p><p>Although in stature he appears to be a good fit for the defensive line on the football team, Washburn's gentle manner is obvious. Extra-curricular activities were not possible because the family lacked a reliable vehicle; however, Washburn sees it as a positive because he was able to focus on his studies in his seven advanced placement classes. </p><p>His government teacher, Shelly DeVore, agrees.</p><p>“Terry earned the highest scores in my AP government class and always had a good attitude,” DeVore said, adding that he won awards for being the outstanding senior in AP U.S. government and politics class, AP macroeconomics class, and was the overall award winner in history.</p><p>“Terry could have used the obstacles he faced as something to stand in his way,” she said. “instead he used them as motivation to do his personal best and persevere.”</p><p>Not having a reliable vehicle also limited his visits to colleges, and out-of-state tuition costs presented another hurdle. He was accepted to The Polytechnic Institute of New York University, but it was too expensive to attend.</p><p> </p><p>HUMBLE BEGINNINGS</p><p>Born in Kissimmee and the youngest of three children, Washburn attended Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lakeland. Later, his family moved to a mobile home park in Loughman Oaks, where the hurricanes of 2004 wreaked havoc on their home. Amid the chaos, he found stability in the straight A's he received in third grade. In fact, Washburn was reading at a fourth-grade level by the end of third grade.</p><p>“That was the turning point,” he said. “Before third grade, I had rainbow grades,'' he said with a smile. “Those are grades that are all over the rainbow.” </p><p>Washburn's sense of humor and optimism carried him through many upheavals as his family moved around the Southeast. His engaging smile and easy-going manner would appear to draw new friends; yet, he was wary of forming attachments because he said he knew he might have to move again. </p><p>His single mother decided to move closer to family in Tennessee, where Washburn found a father figure in his maternal grandfather.</p><p> “He was a good role model,” Washburn said. “He would stay up and help me with my math homework even though he didn't understand it.” </p><p>After his grandfather died, his family moved in with his mother's friend for a bit. Washburn's grades remained stable, although his home life was unpredictable.</p><p>“Pick yourself up and continue no matter what,” he advised.</p><p>The next stop for the family was a motel, where they lived for a month.</p><p> </p><p>“That was fun, with four people in one room and the microwave food,” Washburn said sarcastically.</p><p>Nonetheless, conditions were improving for the family. Washburn's mother, Roberta Simmons, moved up as a shift manager at a local restaurant chain. Her job was going well, allowing them to move from the motel to a mobile home.</p><p>Washburn started high school in Tennessee and things appeared to settle, until his sister called to tell Simmons a bomb exploded at Washburn's school.</p><p>Washburn said his mother pleaded with her boss to let her check on her son, but when he refused, she lost her job for arguing with the boss. </p><p>She found another restaurant job at a lower pay, Washburn said, but the family struggled financially and was soon served with an eviction notice.</p><p>“You have to prioritize as best as possible,” Washburn said of the incident, “making sure you have a place to sleep when you leave school; and you know that school is the next important thing.</p><p> </p><p>“It was good though because my mother had just connected with her three brothers.”</p><p>One brother in the military invited the family to stay with him in North Carolina where Washburn attended an accelerated high school near Fayetteville. However, the crowded conditions caused the family to return to Florida where Simmons had reconnected with an old friend, Michele Kanov, who offered them a home.</p><p> </p><p>That's when Washburn enrolled at Bartow High School in the 10h grade.</p><p>BEATING THE CYNICS</p><p>Washburn credits some of his motivation to cynics. </p><p>“We got the label 'trailer trash' and people were telling us, 'You're not going to do anything,' so I tried to prove them wrong,” he said.</p><p>His mother is his cheerleader and he is hers.</p><p>“I let him know I love him and I am always there for him,” Simmons said. “I tell him I don't want him to end up like me.” </p><p>Washburn is quick to point out that his mother has a good work ethic and that also inspires him. </p><p>“After seeing Mom struggle and Dad doing all that crap, I knew I needed to get good grades,” he said. </p><p>His mother agrees, “He is quiet, easy-going, and focused on grades.”</p><p>DeVore said Washburn was typically reserved during her class but when they discussed the relationships between the people of America and the government, he spoke up.</p><p>“He shared how strongly he believed that people should work hard for what they get, and that they should not expect the government to provide everything for them,” she said. “Terry is a testament to how the power of a loving parent and hard work can help an individual overcome obstacles and achieve success.”</p><p>Washburn thanked his teachers at BHS in his graduation speech for “the opportunities I have had, the successes I have achieved and the fortune to overcome future challenges.”</p><p>Looking ahead to college, Simmons said she knows it is going to be a struggle.</p><p>“He is almost tempted not to go because he doesn't want to be in debt like we were,” she said, adding that he is very good with money. “I give him my money, and he pays all the bills online.”</p><p>The average cost to attend FIT per year is $34,710, according to a recent U.S. News and World Report article. The merit scholarship he is receiving from the university covers $21,000 per year. He also received a $2,000 Bright House scholarship and a $1,000 alumni endorsement scholarship, earned per year, after FIT alumni and BHS Network Manager David Woods recommended him.</p><p> </p><p>Washburn is looking for summer jobs and earned enough during school breaks to get a bicycle to get him to work. In addition to telling his life's story at graduation, Washburn overcame his shyness over public speaking. </p><p>In elementary school, “My brother and sister were the only ones who could understand me,” he said, “so the teachers would have to ask them to interpret for them.” Now his impediment just affects the pronunciation of “r” sounds, but he did not let that stop him.</p><p>He spent a few nights practicing with his mom and then just focused on looking at the two EXIT doors at The Lakeland Center while delivering the speech, he said.</p><p>“You just have to put yourself out there because most of the time, a goal is accompanied by something you don't want to do,” he said. “No matter how bad it is, you just have to find a way to get past it.”</p>